Vellus Hair Cyst



Vellus Hair Cyst


Senait W. Dyson, MD










Multiple, slightly brownish small follicular papules are seen on the chest. This is a classic presentation of eruptive vellus hair cysts. (Courtesy J. Wu, MD.)






Low magnification shows a cyst lined by a keratinizing squamous epithelium. The cyst contents include laminated keratin image and numerous transversely sectioned hair shafts image.


TERMINOLOGY


Abbreviations



  • Vellus hair cyst (VHC)


Synonyms



  • Eruptive vellus hair cyst (EVHC)


Definitions



  • Similar histology to epidermoid (follicular, infundibular type) cyst with the addition of intraluminal vellus hairs


ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS


Genetics



  • Rare cases reported to be autosomal dominant



    • Rarely associated with the following diseases



      • Ectodermal dysplasia (anhidrotic and hidrotic)


      • Lowe syndrome (oculocerebrorenal syndrome)


      • Pachyonychia congenita


Associations

Jul 8, 2016 | Posted by in PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Vellus Hair Cyst

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access